I spent the next few days simmering with anger; I could tell Eddy was looking for me. I was not a good hacker for nothing. Data searches regarding me had increased and sightings were receiving more traffic from one mobile device, Eddy’s smart phone.
I was so stupid to think he could be helpful. The stupidity of my faith in Eddy ate me up inside. There was no pulling him back from his self pity; I had seen it in his eyes. He only got involved because he was forced into the situation, not because he wanted to help anyone. I let out a sigh and my fingers ceased to move across my keyboard. I pressed my knuckles into the center of my forehead. “Why will this headache not go away,” I grumbled, pressing my knuckles harder on my skull. I gave up after a few minutes and simply lay down on my raggedy couch, throwing one arm over my eyes. This damn headache…
I awakened to the flashing lights of my computer detecting a 911 call within a 5-mile radius of my location. I pulled myself up and swung my legs over the couch facing my laptop. I typed in the long set of encrypted passwords and opened up the call, rewinding it to the beginning. It was a standard distress call; a bystander had spotted some kids in an alleyway on 5th and Dermott with guns and a living target.
I slipped out the main window, all my gear strapped on and ready for use. Sprinting across rooftops and leaping from ledge to ledge or to the occasional fire escape, I made it before the police did. If they ever would show up was the real question.
The alley was dark, but the two boys with guns could be seen even in the poor lighting. I reached back and drew a rubber-tipped arrow from my quiver, placing it upon my bow. I drew the arrow back slowly, eyeing my targets. One was thin and lanky, and the other heavier with slight hints of musculature under his black suit. I pointed my arrow at the larger of the two, taking careful aim at his gun. I let the arrow fly, immediately latching another arrow and taking quick aim upon the other gun. Both of the brutes let out shouts of pain and shock, grabbing at their hands. I dove down off the ledge of the building, curling into a spinning cannonball, outstretching my legs to slam into the taller one’s head. I smashed his head into the asphalt as his comrade turned on me. I outstretched my arms and swung my bow straight into the left side of his face. There was a loud crack as his head collided with the carbon fiber bow. He hit the pavement like a rock, a small thwump, and the alleyway was silent again.
I turned to face the cowering boy whose life I had just saved. He was young, no older than 17. I stared down at him, my face still shadowed in my hood. I knelt and lifted up his chin with my hand, “Your name,” I asked, even to my ears it sounded like a command. He was obviously in shock, shaking like a terrified rabbit. “Your NAME,” I repeated, harsher this time. I had no time to dawdle with a simpleton too scared to even mumble his own name.
“I- I’m Kuro,” he said still shaking terribly. I looked him over; he was not wearing any clothing that aligned him with any possible enemies of Midas, just simple street clothes. The only oddity was the large white scarf that obscured most of the lower half of his face, almost like a mask.
“What were you doing out here?”
“Same as you, I was, I was just trying to help…”
“You mean you went after these men? Are you an idiot?”
“No. I’m not an idiot, I’m just trying to help like Watchdog and you. I’m trying to do my part and fix this city! OW!” I shoved him away from myself.
“Idiot. The Watchdog is gone; he disappeared along with Captain Doom, Private Destruction and Oracle. The hero is gone and all that’s left is some useless husk; devote yourself to a new idol.”
“That’s not true! Watchdog just needs to see people need him still and he’ll come back!”
I smiled slightly; that hopeful ignorance had once been mine as well. The idea that Eddy could be called back to his duty to protect and serve had been mine as well, but it had all just been a hopeless battle. “You’re wrong kid,” I said shoving him backwards. “Watchdog is gone. There is no savior to rescue everyone, just a shadow.”
“You don’t what you’re talking about!” the kid snapped, finally overcoming his fear, it seemed. He got up on his shaking legs, turned around, and limped out the alley, making sure he slammed his shoulder into mine. “He’ll come back,” the boy hissed. “He WILL come back.”
I watched him walk away, an idiotic innocent who was going to get himself killed. I knew nothing I could say would change his mind. The boy would do this again, and maybe next time I would be too late and he would just be another corpse in the county morgue with cause of death ruled as multiple gunshot wounds to the face.
I let out a sigh, reaching down to bind up the bodies of the gunmen for the police when I heard a sudden movement on the other side of the alleyway. Someone had dashed out from a hiding place behind a dumpster. I only caught a glimpse of as the figure dashed under the streetlamp where alley met road. I cursed under my breath and ran after the witness; someone who felt the need to flee from me was no ally.
As I reached the street, I saw the person dash into another alley several blocks down. I jumped up the nearby fire escape; Man these are useful. I scaled the building in seconds, dashing and jumping across the uneven rooftops towards my new target. I spotted him in the alleyway below me and dove at him. I slammed into him like a cat on all fours, using his large body as a cushion for my own impact. I pushed off, somersaulting in the air to land on all fours yet again, ready for an attack, but the body didn’t move; it only let out a long groan. I cautiously stood up and walked over to the motionless man. I reached down and pulled him up by the hair; I almost dropped it in the same second. It was Eddy.
“YOU!” I hissed, jumping back. “You were there the whole time! Did you just intend to let that little idiot back there DIE!?”
Eddy rolled onto his back and looked at me; his face was bloody, and the bruises from his recent beating were still very visible. He opened his mouth as if to say something, closing it for a moment before trying to speak again. “There was no way I could have saved him. They saw me, they had guns, and all I had was me. Tell me how and why should I have saved someone I don’t even know. Someone dumb enough to try and bring fists to a gun fight?”
I slammed my foot into his side in rage. “So you would have just done nothing?!”
“I don’t know!!” he said through tumults of coughing. “There wasn’t anything I could have done…”
“Of course there was!!!” I screamed. “Doing nothing when you have the ability to save someone is the same as killing them!” I drew back my foot and dealt him a hard kick to the head. “You are NOT the man you were; you’re worse! You would have let that young boy DIE! You’re as good as a murderer!” Eddy said nothing; my last kick had knocked him out. I reached down and snatched his phone from his pocket. Now was a good time to erase any and all data he had managed to scrape up on me.
I began to run the logs on the phone, but almost instantly, I hit the stop button. Under the recent call log there was only one number. 911, 2:31 AM. I stared down at Eddy; he had been the one calling the police. He had tried to do something; he had called in hopes someone else would come, someone brave enough to carry what he couldn’t. He had called in hopes I would save that kid…
“Moron.” I dropped his phone on his chest and slapped him across the face until he started to respond, attempting to swat away my hand. “You sure are stupid Eddy,” I whispered vanishing back into the shadows as he sat up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“We need to talk,” said Eddy.
He had managed to track me down, in reality only because I had let him, but I did have to give him some credit. He had at least managed to hide well enough for me not to notice him. I almost laughed at the way he spoke, as if I owed him this discussion. I managed to only scoff at his words. “You...” I started before cutting myself off. I must remain civil. “You’re the one who stopped me from catching Midas.”
"Is that who it was? I stopped you from getting shot. You need to be more careful." For a moment, I felt like decking him a few more times and storming off, but I knew that if he had finally approached me on his own, he might have at least something worthwhile to say. "I can help you," he said earnestly.
"How can you help? You can fight, but so can anyone with enough time on their hands to learn. It takes more than a good fist to do what I do." I eyed him carefully, tracking his emotions; if he would back down from such a small shove, he would be of no use.
"I know. Trust me. And believe me, knowing who to trust is everything." Eddy tossed a small bag at my feet. "If you want my help, or are just curious, meet me at the Link 'n' Storage a mile south from here." The former hero backed away into the shadows.
I reached down to pick up the small bag, untying it in my hands. It unfolded into my open hand. It was his old mask; I grinned in spite of myself. You’ve finally made up your mind huh, Watchdog…
I wandered over to the storage facility he had mentioned, curious as to why he was being so secretive. I spotted him standing between several of the large box-like storage garages, still hiding in the shadows.
"I'm glad you decided to come. May I have my mask back?"
I reached into my pocket and tossed the small black lump back at him. "So it was yours.” I said calmly, “Who are you?"
"You have probably never heard of me. I'm from pretty far away. I used to wear this mask to protect those weaker than me, but my trust was put in the wrong people, and I fought alone to save others my pain." Eddy began fumbling with the large lock of the storage room door. "My attempt at selflessness led to my demise. I had no one to turn to once my trusted friends betrayed me. No one to help burden my hardships, and it became too much and I ran. I want to help you." The lock on the large metal door finally clicked, and Eddy straightened himself back up before opening it. "I knew from when I heard your name that you would not stop. You fought with your heart, you believed everything you were fighting for, and you have been strong. I don't want to stop you." The door clanged loudly in the silent night as Eddy opened it, a bright light flickering to life inside the room. "Maybe if I help you, you can help me too."
I looked into the large storage shed, slowly walking inside. In the center of the room were stacked a few heavy duty locked crates, and along the wall were news clippings. Some of the clippings looked freshly cut and had strings pinned to them that connected to a map, showing each of my recent attacks on the criminals of the city. Further down the wall, the clippings became more worn and yellow even under their laminated covers. They were clippings from when Eddy had become the Watchdog, detailing his rise to fame.
At the back of the room stood a mannequin, covered with a bulky leather trench-coat. The coat covered what looked like an armored vest with an insignia of a paw print painted onto it. I smiled, Eddy still wanted to use his old symbol. "The Watchdog."
"You've heard of the Watchdog?"
I grinned for a moment; his excitement that I had heard of him when he was a hero was amusing. "Who hasn't? Well, anyone on the streets. I heard guys in alleyways joking about accidentally running into the Watchdog, but they wouldn't laugh. They'd get shaky. Lots of them said you were a myth, but then more reports would come in. The only thing keeping crime up here was that you were so far away... that's why I needed to make a difference here." I slowly lowered my hood; my golden eyes roamed over the news clippings. Eddy watched me, obviously curious about my tribal markings and golden contacts. "My father taught me right from wrong, and to never give into evil just because it's hard. He told me that until... well, until he was gone. I've fought crime on the ground floor, but I'm moving up. I'm taking the step you didn't get to. I'm attacking the head of crime, hitting their bosses, and hitting their money."
"...Hehe...Hahaha!" Eddy laughed, clapping his heavy hand on my back. Unprepared for his overly friendly behavior, I stumbled slightly and I knew I must have looked suddenly cross. "You're right and wrong, Hawkeye. You're taking a new step I never did, as dangerous as it might be. But I was going in a different direction... But thank you. I had no idea I had this effect on someone."
"Not just me." Eddy tilted his head at those words, but I stated it matter-of-factly. "There are others. A boy in the narrows towards the center of the city has been hitting gangs before they can run their violence in the streets. Others still have fought the crime by assisting the victims in a hero's name. You've inspired a resistance against evil, Watchdog."
Eddy looked at me for a moment before turning his eyes to the yellowing picture of him in his first outfit. He let his hand fall from my shoulder and walked over to his new uniform and carefully placed the mask on the mannequin, staring at it with those sorrowful green eyes.
"You've changed your looks," I said, and indeed he had. He had changed his style from simplistic everyday clothes with a few symbols drawn on with sharpie pens to a full-on custom outfit made for a real battle. My only wonder was where had he gotten it on such sort notice. "Watchdog?" I asked, as he remained silent, staring into the eyes of his mask.
"A lot has happened since I had worn my mask that first night. Things became blurry; I didn't know right from wrong." He turned to me and grinned. "My name's Eddy."
I hesitated for a moment; he was trying to earn my trust by telling me his real name. It was honorable, but I had not had a name for a long time. I felt my heart ache as I remembered the last one that had been given to me. That person had taken my hands in theirs and given me a name, the one name I truly treasured. "Cadhla.” I said; “Nice to meet you, Eddy."
Eddy smiled back. "Let's suit up. We need to scout out Midas's keeps." Eddy walked to the front of the storage shed and closed the door.
"You want to scope out his hideout now!? You don't even know the area!"
Eddy shrugged. "I've been looking at maps and roaming around looking for you for days. I know enough. Besides, it's not like we're going to lay out a full offensive tonight. We're just looking." I turned my head as Eddy changed into his new outfit, but not before noticing the many scars that covered his chest. Eddy slicked his hair back before donning his mask, turning to face me with a look of concern on his face. "... Be honest."
"You look... well, you look like you're not here to talk."
"Scary?"
"A little," I said almost wanting to laugh at the notion.
"Evil?"
"Eeeeh..." I shrugged, it wasn’t so much evil as it was more defined than his old costume.
"Okay, good enough then. What do you have for equipment?" He asked both interestedly and excitedly.
I gave him a brief rundown of my arsenal, while still keeping my aces private. He only nodded and stared as I showed him my bow almost like he was admiring a painting. He turned from me after I was done and unpacked several of the boxes, withdrawing his own weapons. "Looks like Allen packed some of the more nostalgic wares."
"Allen?"
"I'm sure you'll meet him someday... Anyways! Ah, this one is special. I started working on it a long time ago, and Allen decided to finish it for me." Eddy put on a large glove and fed a wire through his sleeve until it went to his belt, which he clipped into his tazer's holster. "And now?" He put his fingers together and pressed a small switch, electrical sparks flying between his fingers. He grinned wide as I stared at him in shock; he never had such violent weapons before, just silly Frisbees. "Okay! I'm all set... Oh wait, I have something for you."
He reached into another box and withdrew a pair of handguns, stretching his arm out to me. I took them from his hands and noticed the weight. For their size they were extremely light. "What is this?"
"Well, I saw the bulge on your hip and got a feel last time we had a scuffle, so I assumed you were packing. I thought that as long as we're going the heroic route, you should have these. Look..." He took one of the guns and pointed it to a wall, clicking a small switch and producing a small red laser. "Aiming assist. And light." Another click and the wall illuminated with a small flashlight. "It's all housed under the barrel, out of sight, out of mind. Also, it only takes one kind of bullet that I make here." He pulled out the clip and took out a single bullet, squeezing it. "It's made of rubber. Can be lethal at point blank, but should only leave nasty bruises and stunned opponents otherwise. Safe to use, though they're still loud."
I examined the guns for a moment or two more before pulling up my pant leg to latch them into my extra holsters.
"Plus, the gun is a high-density plastic. Don't think it'll ever be too much of an issue, but if you're ever going through a metal detector..."
"Where do you get all this stuff?" I asked, my voice slightly accusatory. There was no way he could have just mail ordered all of this, or even made them. These were high tech devices that required years of knowledge and good connections to manufacture without detection.
"...." Eddy coughed loudly, attempting to clear his throat and dismiss the subject. "Walmart? Come on now! Let's go find Midas's hideout!" Without another word, he ran from the storage locker leaving me to chase after him again.
